Description
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese is a flavor-packed experience that combines the creamy, cheesy goodness of traditional mac and cheese with the zesty kick of buffalo chicken. This dish is perfect for chilly evenings or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 cup elbow macaroni
- 2 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Start by boiling a pot of water and adding your elbow macaroni. Follow the package instructions for al dente preparation, and once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, cooking the mixture for about a minute until fragrant.
3. Gradually whisk in the milk and cream cheese, ensuring that everything blends nicely. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
4. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until it’s fully melted and creamy.
5. Add the cooked elbow macaroni and shredded chicken into the cheese sauce. Pour the buffalo sauce over the mixture and stir until everything is well coated and combined.
6. Transfer the entire mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top. Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
7. Once out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions for garnish.
Notes
To elevate your Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, consider cooking pasta al dente to maintain texture. Allow cheese to come to room temperature before adding to avoid clumping. Adjust buffalo sauce based on heat preference. For a healthier version, use whole grain pasta and lower-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg